1987 vintage guide for Spain Rioja

drink soon

Weather Conditions

Following an extremely cold winter and a slight frost – and some insect infestation – in May, the summer was comfortably hot. July turned wet with little sunshine but August was very dry and very sunny, with temperatures up to 40°C, and total rainfall for the whole growing season was only just over half the average. The harvest started in Rioja Baja on the 5th September but was interrupted by rain. Growers who waited until after the rain before they picked were rewarded with excellent grapes, fully ripe and in perfect health.

Best Appellations

The highest and latest-picked vineyards gave the best grapes – so Rioja Alavesa benefited.

Best Producers

In general many of the best producers made wines which they graded 5 this year, notably El Coto, Corrál, Olarra and Ondarre but Faustino, Salceda and Montecillo made significant amounts of Gran Reserva wine this year and Gran Reserva overall was 10% of production which is exceptionally high (annual average 7%).